As a local in Vancouver, BC, a buffet at a hotel isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when planning a weekend brunch. I’ve tried a few in the city, but generally I think most people consider it more of a “tourist” activity. However when I was invited to brunch at the EBO Restaurant located at The Delta Burnaby Hotel, I was actually looking forward to it. Part of the reason is because I’m a fan of the Executive Chef Dan Craig, who is quite famed in the Canadian culinary competition level of chefs. Not only has he placed and won many of them, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was already preparing for the most prestigious culinary competition in the world Bocuse d’Or. It’s literally the culinary Olympics which you have to be selected for, and I really foresee it happening for him.

Anyways, back to brunch. Another thing I’m not too enthusiastic about is buffets, unless I’m traveling. I’m not referring to the Sizzlers, Uncle Willy’s or the buffet chains throughout the US, but the really extravagant ones like The Lemon Garden Cafe in Malaysia or even some of the ones in Las Vegas are nice. It doesn’t have to be necessarily “extravagant”, but it’s nice to have it unique and it’s challenging to do buffets well. I’m not comparing the buffets in Vancouver to the ones around the world, but just saying that it’s not usually something I’ll opt for first.

I just rather order a la carte because I don’t find buffets really showcase what a restaurant can really do. Buffets are generally a bit “mass produced” and I question how fresh the food is, but they’re fun once in a while. On the other hand, at EBO, the food was fresh and from what I observed they were rotating it often enough that nothing was really sitting under the heat lamp or coming down to room temperature.

I was pretty impressed with their selection which included the standard American breakfast items, a decent amount of hot and cold seafood, a gourmet rotisserie meats section and some house made Asian cuisine all made with local and sustainable ingredients. The desserts were also home made and they featured a kids section and gluten free options too, so they really covered almost everything and it was breakfast, lunch and dinner in one.

For $30.95/person I found their Sunday Brunch actually quite reasonable for what was offered. If I’m just looking at the food, then I probably prefer Pan Pacifica in downtown, but that one is $50 which is quite steep. In Burnaby the other option is Reflections at the Hilton Hotel, and although pretty good it doesn’t have as much selection or as grande of a spread.

Personally I was more impressed with EBO’s a la carte dinner menu, and I don’t think the Sunday Brunch shows you what talent their award winning young chef really has. However, if you’re not intensely focused on food alone and are looking for a nice spot to take the family for brunch, then yes, I would recommend this. Not to mention, their special occasion buffet brunches are quite reputable and popular with locals already, but now you just don’t have to wait for a special occasion to go.

Sunday Brunch at EBO Restaurant: 11am-2pm $30.95/person (includes signature EBO Mimosa, children up to 5 years old are complimentary, 6-12 years old half price) The following items will vary according to season and occasion.

Assorted Sushi and Maki Rolls with Soya and Pickled Ginger – It’s not a sushi restaurant so it’s not authentic Japanese or sushi restaurant quality which is expected. Regardless, it was fresh and sustainable and nice to have the option.

Platters

Charcuterie & pates

Chicken liver pate with brioche buns

Smoked and cured meats with mustard and cornichons

Local assorted smoked fish

Display of domestic and international cheeses with crackers

Poached prawns with lemon and garlic aioli, classic cocktail sauce

Eggs benedict, house cured back bacon or house smoked salmon, citrus hollandaise

Breakfast Classics

Grilled farm sausages, smoked bacon

Scrambled free range eggs

Designer omelet bar

Cinnamon and orange French toast with Canadian maple syrup, fruit compote, whipped cream

John’s Fresh Handmade Roti Canai – I have to give a shout out to this roti. I was more than impressed and it really reminded me of the roti they make in Malaysia. The technique, flavour, texture and everything was spot on and I really thought I was back in Malaysia. Chef John was literally putting on the same show and this was my highlight for the whole brunch. The authentic Malaysian way of making roti is comparable to watching people toss pizza dough.

It was flaky, soft, stretchy with a bit of chew, semi crispy and had a nice curry sauce for dipping. They even replaced it every so often so that it stayed fresh. This was the best roti canai I’ve had in Metro Vancouver thus far, and I hate saying “the best” unless I feel really passionately about it.

Chef’s selection of local vegetables prepared in the style of the season

BC salmon with cream sauce

(Items will vary according to season)

Assorted dim sum, har gau, siu mai, and steamed beef meatballs – It’s not a dim sum restaurant so it’s not “authentic” dim sum, but they’re making it in house. If you’re looking for dim sum specifically, I would suggest going to Grand Dynasty Seafood Restaurant which is attached to The Delta Burnaby Hotel downstairs. It’s one of the fancier Chinese restaurants in Metro Vancouver, but it’s actually very good.

Carved slow roast beef with mustard and horseradish, Cabernet jus

House Made BBQ Pork - It was Chinese style BBQ pork or “char siu” and they did a pretty good job. The flavour tasted similar to the traditional Chinese version with the soy, sugar or honey and hoisin sauce, but the texture was more like a Western roasted pork tenderloin. It was commendable, quite moist, and on the saucy side which is a bit more Western in style too.

Carved slow roast beef with mustard and horseradish, Cabernet jus and BBQ ribs – It was perfectly medium rare, juicy and tender prime rib, and it was probably my second highlight after the roti canai. The beef ribs were a bit dry, but this for brunch with everything else is quite the steal at $30.95/person. You will be full until dinner or even beyond depending on how hard you go.

Designer omelet omelet bar: free range eggs, smoked ham, shrimp, mushrooms, spring onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and cheese. For me, every good buffet should have an omelet making station so I was happy to see this. Chef John makes the omelets as well as the fresh roti cannai.

Everything Omelet

I was a bit more inspired by some of the other ingredients offered at the buffet so I kind of went off on my own. I shredded the beef ribs, cut up the BBQ pork and prime rib, headed to the cheese bar for some blue cheese, and grabbed some mushrooms from the omelet station and custom made this! It’s a triple meat and blue cheese omelet with mushrooms. This was another highlight for brunch for me.

Desserts – Romeo’s assorted cakes, pies, mousses, macarons, bread pudding, cream puffs, eclairs, cinnamon and coconut custard (vegan, dairy and gluten free options). The desserts were pleasant and a crepe station would have been fun, but this was satisfying enough and at least it was all house made.

So as I mentioned in the intro, I’m not big on buffets although this one was pretty good. Therefore I ordered off the a la carte menu to see if that would offer up something a bit more to my liking. The options were quite standard and I do think the buffet is what they want to highlight here, so if I was to come again I would just go for the buffet over a la carte, which kind of surprised me.

A bit substantial for brunch after everything I had already, but I have a substantial appetite.

The burger was okay, but the patty and bun were slightly dry.

I kind of wish they used the crispy bacon from the buffet rather than back bacon.

The patty isn’t offered medium rare and it wouldn’t hurt for it to extend to the edge of the bun.

I couldn’t really taste the cheese and it was surprisingly on the sweet side and the caramelized roasted onion was apparent.

If chef wanted to, I bet he could make a killer burger, but I just don’t think it’s the highlight here.

The fries on the other hand, were fantastic. They were like gourmet McDonald’s fries, but they still tasted great after they went cold – unlike McDonald’s. They were well seasoned, thin, crispy and perfect.

I’m not sure if the fries were supposed to have Parmesan on them, or if the Parmesan was just garnish, but I would rather have more of it or none of it.

13 Comments

What a fresser you are Mijune ! I know for the sake of your blog you MUST eat, eat and eat, and eat…I still don’t know where you put it ! I would have stuck to the slow cooked ribs, roast beef, roti and some sushi, mebbe…some dim sum(I probably couldn’t do this buffet justice but mebbe a side of beef ribs and a pound or two of rare meat ?). I guess the desserts weren’t up to your standards, ‘cos no outstanding pics(thanks Sherman, great pics).

Oh I miss the younger days when my friends and I could hit Uncle Willy for lunch, then dinner, on the same day, and not gain a pound !

But since those days are long gone and over, my only real buffet experience nowadays is getting invited to AYCE Japanese restos (most of which I dislike). We did Griffin’s (Fairmont Downtown) for a few years when it was very good value, but as prices crept up their foods didn’t seem to follow suit.

I think restaurants can showcase their best talents and offerings in buffets (if those talents exist), but it’s simply not economical for them to do so. Also, many showcase dishes simply require consumption right away, and not be left sitting under some heat lamps and still keep their highlight characteristics intact. Hmmm, I wonder how long carrot foam can last ? LOL.

From my vague memory, Reflection @ Hilton actually has a greater selection of choices for similar price. Having said that, I do like the decor of the place and how food is presented in smaller portions.

@chubbychick – actually this was buffet so the food was self plated. This actually has more selection with the dim sum and the carving stations, but Reflections had the yogurt and fruit bar. I didn’t show everything in the photos

@LR – Exaclty! Since they have to be “mass produced” and eaten right away it’s VERY challenging to put out their “best”.. also they’re catering to hundreds of tastes rather than just one so they can’t be as fancy… and yes price of food too! I need to check out Griffins! How much is their brunch buffet?

@Bow – lol trust me, I see it. I’m surprised you would go for the sushi and dim sum at a non-Asian place. The desserts were actually pretty good! just no pics from sherman

i’ve always been curious about brunch at EBO.. i went there for lunch once and it was pretty spectacular – both the food and the service i like the variety they serve for brunch and the prices are definitely more reasonable than some other brunch places.. i think the only other place that serves a similar brunch is “Reflect” at the Burnaby Hilton